Letter From Erin

Erin sent us a letter and asked that I send it on.

July 4th, 2010 Hello Everyone! HAPPY 4TH OF JULY! Let Freedom Ring! Nothing is so motivating as being in the marine-making machine on the day the promised land was born! I'm officially in second phase and in 3 days it will be 1/2 way over. My platoon won initial drill by a landslide so our fabulous senior drill instructor is buying us pizza! We also had initial testing last week. I got 99 out of 100. So far we have done swim qualifies and hiked 7 miles to the rifle range.

This week will be grass week where they will teach us all we need to know about our M-16's and how to aim and what not. The week after will be firing week where we will qualify for marksman, sharpshooter, or expert. After that we have team week. No clue what we will be doing. After team week is BWT and Table 2 rifle week. BWT is Basic Warrior Training. The difference between rifle table 1 and rifle table 2 is on table 1 we shoot stationary targets at the set distances of 200, 300, and 500 yards. Table 2 we engage moving targets at close range.

Week 11 we have a lot of classes. Week 12 we have the final PFT(Physical Fitness Test), the final test, our platoon photos, final drill and the CRUCIBLE! 54 hours of combat experience and hikes. That Saturday when we get home we will have our WARRIORS BREAKFAST and the emblem ceremony where we receive our eagle, globe, and anchor! Sunday we are on liberty. And the last week is Marine week. August 19 is family day and August 20 is GRADUATION! Mom and Dad have all the travel plans! See you all soon!

Sincerely, Rct. Hall